Just three weeks into his congressional career, Rep. David Rivera (R-Fla.) has earned the dubious distinction of being the first member of the historic class of House GOP freshmen to find himself at the center of an ethics scandal.

The Rivera case also could prove an early and politically sensitive problem for Speaker John Boehner of Ohio, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor of Virginia and other top Republicans who criticized former Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s handling of scandals involving Reps. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) and Maxine Waters (D-Calif.).

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POLITICO 44

Boehner has yet to comment on the allegations involving Rivera, yet behind the scenes, GOP insiders already are drawing contingency plans for a replacement should the freshman lawmaker resign or be forced to step aside, according to multiple Republican sources.

Cantor, meanwhile, has promised a “zero-tolerance policy” for GOP lawmakers caught up in the scandals. But so far, the Virginia Republican has refused to comment on the Rivera case, drawing criticisms of hypocrisy from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

The 45-year-old Rivera, who was elected to the House in November after eight years in the Florida Legislature, has been under investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement since last fall over allegations that he failed to disclose more than $130,000 in loans from a company owned by his mother. Rivera has since repaid the loans by selling off some real estate, but there are least two parallel probes into his finances and campaign records going on now, and Democrats have seized on the controversy to embarrass the House GOP leadership.

“Republican leader Eric Cantor pledged zero tolerance on ethics [violations], but it’s been 19 days, and he refuses to address the expanding investigation into Congressman David Rivera’s scandal-plagued record,” said Jesse Ferguson, a DCCC spokesman.

Cantor aides counter that the majority leader is aware of the allegations swirling around the Florida freshman, but they note that the state probe is ongoing, and Rivera has not been charged with any wrongdoing at this point. So at this point, Cantor will not take any stance on what should happen in the Rivera case.

“Eric has said that, unlike leader Pelosi and the previous majority, Republicans will have a zero-tolerance policy [on ethics violations], and we are awaiting the results of the current investigation in Florida,” said Brad Dayspring, a Cantor spokesman.

While Democratic ethics woes were not a central factor in the Republicans’ victory in retaking control of the House on Election Day, Republicans used the Rangel and Waters cases to lambaste Pelosi for failing to “drain the swamp” of Washington corruption. Rangel was censured by the House in December after he was found guilty of 11 ethics violations. The investigation into Waters is ongoing. The California Democrat has been charged with three ethics violations related to her dealings with a minority-owned bank in which her husband owned stock during the 2008 U.S. financial crisis. Waters has denied any wrongdoing.

And while the Rivera investigation is still in its early stages in Florida, GOP leaders also are hamstrung over the fact that the House Ethics Committee — which has still not formally organized for this Congress as Democrats have not named their full list of panel members — is barred by its own rules from taking up any matter where law-enforcement officials already are involved.

Wow - "two parallel probes into his finances and campaign records going on now." Which begs the question who is doing the probing and on what issues? But don't worry about those pesky facts. Al Fanken only got elected by felon votes but who cares?

This is no doubt disappointing to the GOP, and, they are smart to have contingency plans in place. As to their silence/not commenting, that, too, is smart. Let the investigation proceed, and abide by the decisions which result from the facts. Hopefully, the GOP will act like responsible grown-ups (I have my doubts, though), unlike the president, who just hasn't been able to control himself--Mass police were stupid, terrorists, even if found not guilty, will spend time in jail. Why do we, as citizens, have to say 'alleged' lawbreaker, but the prez can call people guilty before investigations and trials?

We all know that Florida politics have been corrupt for ages. This is nothing new. It is also nothing new that the new GOP pledge to keep their own group clean is no better than a white wash. Same old, same old. The GOP only want to clean up on the Democrats and the Democrats only want to clean up the Repubs. No one, including this self professed squeeky clean new bunch in the house, will do anything but talk out of one side of their mouth as they do what ever they feel like. Nothing changes except a few of the faces.

Interesting that the Republicans knew the pending charges against Rep. Rivera before he came into office. I guess they figured he already was corrupt so he should fit in nicely with the rest of the Republicans. Hypocrisy?

Are you any kin to a now famous sherriff in Arizona who blamed the Republicans for the shooting there? Why not let the investigation play out before complaining. Then if the Republians turn out to be as dirty as Socialist Democratic congress was then you will have a right to complain and I will join you. but for now we should be having Congresswoman Waters hearing and the sooner the better. Drain the DAMN SWAMP NOW!

History will show that the year 2010 will be known as the year the second American Revolution started. The year when American patriots stood together to stop unlawful government leadership and taxation.

What a conundrum! Another confederate cracker with ethics problems! Hmmm, what to do? Make a big fuss and maybe someone might just get smart enough to put 2 & 2 together and figure what is good for this clown might also apply to a certain "justice?" Thomas who neglected to report his darling wife's earnings for how many years? Really, can this guy be any worse than the newly elected governor of that woebegone state?

The pot calling the kettle black? No racism, just fact-- seeing as how you have Rangel and Waters still seated. And BOTH of them should be in prison for their KNOWN theft of TAXPAYER money. At least Rivera has yet to be proven guilty. Big difference between being investigated and having been.

The Demos should keep their mouths shut until the investigation is over. Meanwhile Rivers and Rangel should be booted.

Another great unbiased article by Politico. The investigation is just beginning in FL about something he allegedly did as a FL Congressman. The Republicans can't comment because it is ongoing so let's paint the Republicans as trying to hide something. That's my Politico - they never disappoint me.

If guilty I hope it doesn't drag on as long as Rangel and Waters - if not guilty, move on.

I do wonder why the Dems haven't appointed their people to the Ethics Committee yet so dear Maxine can get her justice.

I love the dems attacking this guy because hes a republican and yet the entire CBC is still seated. He will have his day in court right after waters defends her influence peddling and theft. I hear rangel is still smiling and wandering the halls of congress. Both of them should be in jail and would be if not for the fact they are sitting democrats.

No, sadly the GOP operatives didn't have to approach Rivera to encourage him to run. Mr. Rivera has been a questionable person in every aspect of his life. In his private affairs, he has never been known to have a job, is not married, has no children. He does, however, have quite a reputation as a "ladies' man", having publicly dated many women in South Florida, including several elected officials.

He was Chairman of the GOP for Miami-Dade County and the party received many reports that he ran his political campaigns from the party's office. During a meeting of the M-D County GOP, he silences an opponent and asked the police present to remove him from the building - Mr. Rivera's opponent had spoken for 10 seconds beyond his allotted time. The local police escorted Mr. Rivera's opponent outside.

During his last years in the Florida House of Representatives, Mr. Rivera served as Chairman of Appropriations. His "shakedown" style was widely known. Still, people contributed to his campaign.

The two situations being investigated are clear. Throughout Miami-Dade County and parts of Monroe County (the areas included in the 25th Congressional District he represents), the talk is not, "Why?", but rather, "Finally!" Another question being asked is, "Will he throw his own mother under the bus?"

Mr. Rivera has offended and hurt so many, he has destroyed so many people, that it has finally caught up with him. Not because of karma, because people are lining up to talk to the FDLE - and worrisome for Mr. Rivera, many have the paper trail to lock him up.

"GOP insiders already are drawing contingency plans for a replacement should the freshman lawmaker resign or be forced to step aside"

Contingency plans for a replacement? Would that not be an election??? Or is this like the Miss America Pageant, where we have a runner up within the party that will be crowned since the incumbent can't finish out their term? Laughable.